Agilent Increasing Productivity and Simplifying Sample Preparation With the SIPS Accessory Technical manual

Technical Overview

Increasing Productivity and
Simplifying Sample Preparation With
the SIPS Accessory

Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (FAAS) typically involves element-specific
sample preparation which can be time consuming and prone to operator-introduced
errors. The SIPS 10 and SIPS 20 Sample Introduction Pump System (SIPS) are
optional accessories for Agilent’s SpectrAA FAAS instruments. They offer a range of
powerful features that automate many tedious and error prone sample preparation
tasks. These greatly simplify and speed up the sample preparation process,
improving productivity and reducing costs.

Combining a SIPS accessory with Agilent’s Fast Sequential capabilities results in an
easy to use, highly productive and cost effective atomic absorption solution.

Whether you are using an autosampler, or doing manual
sample introduction, a SIPS accessory, combined with the
SpectrAA software, will automatically:

– Prepare up to 10 calibration standards from a single bulk

standard, automating the instrument calibration process

– Intelligently dilute over range samples

– Prepare standard additions calibration from a single

standard

– Introduce analytical spikes, using a single standard

– Add chemical modifiers, e.g. ionization suppressants

– Extend the dynamic range of FAAS to that approaching

ICP-OES

The SIPS accessory is available in two versions:

– The single pump SIPS 10 provides in-line calibration and

sample dilution.

– The dual pump SIPS 20 has the additional capabilities of

in-line spiking of samples and in-line sample modification.

Figure 2. How the SIPS 10 works

How SIPS works

The sample flow rate of conventional peristaltic pumps
changes non-linearly with the pump speed. This makes
them unsuitable for use to automatically dilute samples.
The innovative design of the SIPS’ peristaltic pump system
ensures that the solution flow is proportional to the pump
speed, so the volume of solution being pumped is accurately
controlled. To extend the lifetime of the peristaltic pump
tubing (and thus lower operating costs), the SIPS will
automatically release the pressure on the pump tubing at the
end of run.

The SIPS 10 (Figure 1) combines a small flow of diluent with
the sample flowing to the nebulizer. If the pump speed is
reduced, the flow of sample is reduced. With a constant
nebulizer uptake rate, the diluent flow is thus increased
effectively diluting the sample. This simple approach makes
automatic calibration and in-line dilution possible, by accurately
controlling the pump speed with the SpectrAA software.

Figure 2. How the SIPS 20 works

2